TUESDAY TALES " SONG"

 

Howdy do and Happy New Year, y'all. Today our word prompt is "song". We're back with an excerpt of "Two of Hearts", but Jen's story today. And not steamy. Everyone can cool down with this one. Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to visit the talented authors of Tuesday Tales HERE. 

The trip to the hospital seemed to take an eternity. In the elevator, she checked her watch again. Only five after nine. She was in plenty of time. She blew out a breath, then drew one in when the doors opened. Listening to her heart beat as she approached intensive care, she held her breath.

Pushing open the door, she felt as if time had stood still. Everything looked the same as the day before. If she looked closely, she could see that Stan had a little more color in his face. She kissed him. A nurse burst in.

“The doctor will be here at ten.”

“Thank you. I’ve been praying that he wakes up.”

“We’re all with you, Mrs. Hogan.” The woman squeezed her hand.

“Thank you.”

Jen went over to the window and stared up at the sky. Clouds were clearing and the sun had poked through. Wasn’t that a good omen? the song, "Blue Skies" came to her. To avoid the pressure building inside her, she hummed a few bars. Before she finished the chorus, the door opened. It was Doctor Harrison.

“Mrs. Hogan.”

“Doctor. I’m ready.”

“I hope Stan is.” The doctor fiddled with the bottles and tubes going into Stan’s arm. “That’s it. Final dose removed. Now we wait.”

She sat in the chair next to him, silently praying.

“I’ll check back in an hour. I must warn you that your husband might be confused, even angry when he comes out. If he tries to rip the breathing tube out, get a nurse right away. The longer someone’s under a medically induced coma, the more irrational they can be when awakened. So don’t expect him to wake up, like he has every day, and ask you what’s for breakfast.”

“Okay.”

“Are you sure? And please don’t try to wake him. Let him come to naturally. I’ll be back in half an hour to check on his progress.” The doctor stood.

Jen shook his hand. Fear spiked inside her. She chastised herself for being afraid to be left alone with Stan. This was her husband. The man she adored. Stan—how could she be afraid? 

Jen’s hands trembled as the doctor and nurse approached Stan’s bed.

“Wait! Wait for me!” It was Marcy. Lillian hung back, standing in the doorway. That’s right. She no longer had a right to be there. Jen narrowed her eyes.

“Stand back, Marcy. Let the doctor do his job.”

The young woman shot her a nasty look. Beyond caring what her stepdaughter thought of her, Jen focused on Stan.

The doctor read Stan’s chart, examined his eyes, shining a tiny flashlight in them, smiled and put his hands in his pocket.

“Any time now. I’ll be back.” He and the nurse left the room.

Looking up, Jen glanced at the door. Lillian was gone. Jen was almost glad to see her stepdaughter.  

“Did you hear what the doctor said?”

“I spoke to him in the hall,” Marcy replied. Her eyes filled. “Why doesn’t he wake up?”

“Stop it! He will. You’ll see.”

That's all for today. Thanks for visiting.